What is BS EN 17488 about ?
BS EN 17488 gives the test methodology for evaluation of both harmfulness and effectiveness of a cleaning method as applied to porous inorganic materials.
BS EN 17488 specifies the evaluation of the potential harm has a higher priority than the effectiveness in order to prevent over cleaning. It is important that cleaning is always at the minimum level deemed effective and that it respects the original surface and finishes. Over cleaning is a term used to indicate that irreversible damage has been done by the unnecessary removal of materials, which are part of the value of the object.
Note 1: BS EN 17488 applies to:
Part A: All methods of cleaning, which have characteristics of parameterization and reproducibility
Part B: All new methods that are under development
Note 2: BS EN 17488 applies to evaluate the optimum methods for cleaning and the optimization of the parameters of the selected cleaning process.
Note 3: BS EN 17488 doesn’t apply to mural paintings and polychromy.
Who is BS EN 17488 for ?
BS EN 17488 on cleaning methods for porous inorganic materials used in cultural heritage is applicable to:
- Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Government bodies or authorities of cultural heritage
- Heritage management department
Why should you use BS EN 17488 ?
A cultural heritage object is irreplaceable and while cleaning is undertaken for object conservation, its effects are irreversible. Cultural heritage should be cleaned using the least disruptive/invasive procedure possible in order to best preserve it.
The actions required for cleaning involve a degree of risk for the object and therefore demand extreme caution. The chosen methods for cleaning should not be harmful to the object, the operator, the surroundings /environment, or users of the site.
BS EN 17488 provides the guidelines for the choice of the operational cleaning technical specifications to optimize the cleaning operation and specifies requirements for each specific cleaning method are given as to adapt cleaning works for cultural heritage.
Failure to consider and address the technical problems specified by BS EN 17488 during cleaning may cause irrevocable damage to an object.
